Retainer



Feb.=10', 1970 I c. F. BENSON 13,494,634

' .RETAINER Filed A ril- 26, 1967 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR CARL F. Benson I 7 BY ATTOKNLYS Feb. 10, 1970 I c. F. BENSONY- I 3,494,684

RETAINER Filed April 26, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZNVENTOR CARL 1 BENSON Feb. 10,1970 I .F.BENS' N- 3,494,684

' RETAINER 7 Filed April 26., 1967 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 neJe 211511 IFIGJB $16.19

INVENTOR CARL F. BENSON By/pgg m ATTORNEYS United States Patent Office 3,494,684 Patented Feb. 10, 1970 Filed Apr. 26, 1967, Ser. No. 633,859 Int. Cl. F16c 19/20, 33/46 U.S. Cl. 308217 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This subject has to do with a retainer for rolling bearing elements wherein the retainer is of the type which includes a pair of side rims and bars extending at spaced intervals between the side rims and the combining therewith to define pockets. This disclosure particularly has to do with the formation of retaining lugs on the bars with the lugs projecting into the pockets, the retaining lugs being formed by way of a chipless material flowing operation wherein material of the side faces of the bars is simultaneously flowed in the direction of thickness of the retainer and gathered with the resultant material flowing outwardly from the side faces of the bars and into the pockets to form the lugs.

This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in retainers for rolling elements in antifriction bearings, and more particularly to the formation of retaining lugs on bars of a retainer for retaining rolling elements within pockets of the retainer.

The use of a device for the separating and guiding of rolling elements in anti-friction bearings is a matter of record in the large number of patents directed toward their design and manufacture.

Further developments of record in the use of such devices disclose the addition of retainment for the rolling elements against loss While handling and installing the assembled anti-friction bearing elements. This adds the term retainer to that of separator and covers retainment of rolling elements in combination with either outer race or inner race or both or in many preferred constructions retainment by the retainer alone where no outer or inner race is provided as part of the anti-friction package.

A study of prior art reveals the design and manufacture of retainers or separators using heavy section machined from shapes such as bars, castings, extrusions and molding from materials both metallic and the modern plastics. In the high production categories the use of sheet metal formed, stamped and rolled is not new.

There is readily available to the engineer experienced in industry and skilled in the art of design of anti-friction bearings a great number of known desirable features that may be combined to produce a retainer suitable for the problem at hand.

Design requirements may call for roll guidance for parallelism at the pitch circle or either above or below the pitch circle and in many cases a combination of any two or all three conditions. The retainer may be guided in its path by the outer race or inner race or by the rolling elements. It may be required to resist centripetal forces when used in orbital paths or it may be a simple application where retainer guidance is of no consequence.

A review of the patent literature will reveal designs that may combine a few or many of the above listed features but do not offer a ready or efficient change of combination within the basic pattern of the retainer.

In accordance with this invention a simple stamped strip of sheet metal is prepared with the desired form of roll retainment before rolling the part into circular form. Thus from a single stamped strip retainers can be made with inner or outer roll retainment, or both, the retainer may be roll riding or outer or inner race riding or any desirable combination thereof. After rolling to circular form the ends may -be'welded together or may be left unwelded if requirements do not demand welding.

While others have formed retainer bars to guide and retain the rollers, I have merely scarfed the edges of the retainer slot without removing material and obtained sufiicient projections to hold the rollers securely. Scarfing merely plows the material ahead, forming projections where others have tried to obtain such projections by pressing, rolling staking or similar methods which deform the bars resulting in non-uniform retainer shapes and uneven roll contact surfaces. Inasmuch as there is no removal of material in the formation of the retaining lugs, it may be said that the retaining lugs are formed by a chipless machining operation.

In conjunction with a simple stamped strip I merely use a length of strip to accommodate the diameter of the raceway selected. Scarfing is then positioned as needed according to the position of the bars with relation to the rollers, i.e., the change in angularity depending on the number of rollers in the complete assembly or the curvature of the retainer, a retainer with but six rolls in it will have more angularity between bars than a retainer of large diameter with a larger number of rollers.

In many applications a bearing assembly with outer or inner shell or race is required. The retainer of this invention fits well into this type of assembly since retainment by scarfing is so readily adapted to the design requirements and is adaptable to all proportions of bearing elements.

Lugs formed by scarfing may be located in any preferred part of the bar, either inside or outside or a combination of both depending on the designers choice. Further, dimension and form of the scarfed lug is more closely controlled than methods such as pressing, rolling and staking formerly used.

The scarfing operations are done when the retainer is still in strip form. If retainment is desired to restrain the rollers from falling inward, the scarfing tool would enter the slots from that side of the blank which would eventually form the outside diameter of the retainer and push retaining projections out into position adjacent to the opposite, or inner side. If outward retainment is required, the operation would be inverted, or if retainment in both directions is required, scarfing tools would be pushed into the slots from both sides, acting on adjacent portions of the slots.

The retainer as produced, results in projections which have superior characteristics as compared as known methods in that the projections do not appear above or below the surface of the retainer strip, which would result in localized wear. At the same time, the shape of the projection can be controlled so that the point of contact restraining the roller is closer to the outer or inner surfaces of the retainer than those produced by other methods.

The manner in which the retaining lugs are formed in accordance with this invention provides numerous advantages. In the first place, the retaining lugs are more closely controlled with respect to dimension and form than by other methods. Secondly, the shape of the retaining lugs may be varied as desired. In a like manner, the relative position of the retaining lugs on the bars may be readily controlled. Furthermore, because of the manner in which the retaining lugs are formed, there is no undesired raising of adjacent surfaces of the retainer so as to produce surfaces which would have undue rubbing contact with rolling elements and races. A principal advantage of the retaining lug formation of this invention is that the lugs may be provided in any desired pattern, shape and position with respect to the bars and the pockets in a simple manner which may be utilized in a high production stamping operation. a

A further advantage of this invention isthat the retaining lugs may be formed on retainers having various advantageous cross sections and, when desired, the retaining lugs may be formed immediately adjacent the boundary face of the retainer.

A further advantage of the retainer construction of this disclosure is that the retaining lug forming operation is an extremely simple one, the lugs can be positioned where desired by simple and single change in tooling, and the material required for the retaining lugs does not result in an undue weakening of the bars.

With the above and other objects in vie-w that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a retainer, and roller assembly formed in accordance with this invention, a portion of the retainer being broken away and shown in section to clearly illustrate the position of the rollers within the retainer.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a fiat strip from which the retainer of FIGURE 1 is formed.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view on a large scale of a retainer formed from the strip of FIG- URE 2 and shows the specific construction of the retaining lugs formed along a side of one of the pockets.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view similar to FIGURE 3 of a modified form of retaining lug arrangement.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom perspective view of still another modified retainer construction and shows the formation of a lubricant storage groove in a bar of the retainer.

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic transverse vertical sectional veiw taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 4 and shows the specific cross section of the retainer of FIG- URE 4.

FIGURES 7 through 12 are diagrammatic transverse sectional views similar to FIGURE 6 and show modified retainer cross sections and retaining lug arrangements.

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken through-a bearing assembly wherein the retainer is of the outer race riding type.

FIGURE 14 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 13 of a bearing assembly wherein the retainer is of the inner race riding type.

FIGURE 15 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 13 of a bearing assembly wherein the retainer is of the roll riding type.

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary plan view similar to FIG- URE 2 and shows a modified form of retainer strip construction.

FIGURES 17, 18 and 19 are schematic sectional views through a retainer showing different retaining lug configurations.

FIGURE 20'is a' perspective view of a punch and strip assembly and shows the manner in which the retaining lugsare formed on a bar of the strip.

FIGURE 21 is a schematic elevational view for forming retaining lugs on a cylindrical retainer having rectangular cross sectional bars.

FIGURE 22 is an elevational view similar to FIGURE 21 of a punch and retainer assembly wherein the retainer has rectangular crosssectional pockets.

FIGURE 23 is an end elevational view of a roller and retainer assembly wherein the retainer is of 'a split construction.

Referring now to the drawings indetail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in FIGURE 1 a roller and retainer assembly, which 'is generally referred to by the numeral 30. The assembly is formed of a retainer 31, which is formed in accordance with this invention, and has a plurality of conventional rolling elements or rollers 32 retained therein in assembled relation. The retainer 31 has a plurality of pockets 33, there being one pocket 33 for each of the rollers 32 and each roller 32 is retained within its respective pocket 33 for restraint against movement in at least one radial direction.

It is preferred, but not necessarily required, that the retainer 31 be formed from a flat strip, such as the strip 34 illustrated in FIGURE .2. The strip 34 is automatically fed into a conventional punch press type machine wherein the pockets 33 are formed by punching out the material of the strip 34. As a result, the strip 34 may be defined as being formed of a pair of rims 35 which are interconnected at spaced intervals by means of bars 36.and wherein the rims 35 and the bars 36 cooperate to define the pockets 33. It is to be understood that the strip 34 of FIGURE 2 is formed by a progressive punching operation, although all of the pockets of a predetermined length of strip may be simultaneously formed, and thereafter the necessary retaining lug forming operation may be performed on that strip.

In accordance with this invention, a further operation is performed on the strip 34 before it is shaped to form the retainer 31. As is best shown in FIGURE 20, the strip 34 is successively engaged by a pair of punch-like members 37 and 38. Each of the punch-like members 37, 38 has a body portion 39 of a sze to fit within the pockets 33. The body portion 39 terminates at its free end in a nose 40 which includes a central portion 41 and sloping side portions 42. The nose 40 of each punch-like member 7 37, 38 is thus readily engageable Within an aligned pocket 33 in centered relation. The spacing between the body portions 39 of the punch-like members 37, 38 is equal to the width of one of the bars 36 whereby the punch-like members 37, 38 support the bars during the formation of lugs thereon.

The punch-like members 37, 38 are distinguished from normal retainer forming punches in that the opposed sides of the bodies 39 thereof are provided with bar-like punch elements 43 which have their free ends terminating in the sloping side portions 42. It is to be understood that the punch elements 43 are aligned with the bars 36 of the strip 34 and, accordingly, when the punch-like members 37, 38 enter into the pockets 33, the material of the engaged bar 36 along the opposite sides thereof is engaged by the punch elements 43 and as the punch-like members 37, 38 progressively enter into the pockets 33, there is a progressive flowing of the surface material on the opposite sides of the bar 36 facing the pockets 33.

It will be readily apparent from FIGURE 20 that as the punch elements 43 of the punch-like members 37, 38 engage the surface portions of the bar 36, and the material engaged by the punch elements 43 is progressively moved along the sides of the bar, grooves 44 will be formed into the surface portions of the bars 36 and the material of the bars which is displaced in the forming of the grooves 44 will be flowed ahead of the punch elements 43 and gathered thereby with the material progressively extending further from the respective bars 36 into the respective pockets 33 and forming retaining lugs 45. It will be understood that the punch elements 43 will individually function as machine tools, but because the work engaging faces thereof have a negative rake as opposed to the usual undercut of a cutting tool, the metal moved by the punch elements 43 will not be sheared from the bars 36, but merely pushed ahead of the punch elements 43. Thus, the punch-like members 37, 38 may be considered scarfing tools, in view of the formation of the grooves 44, and the retaining lugs 45 are formed through a chipless machining operation.

At this time it is pointed out that inasmuch as the bars 36 are supported by the scarfing tools 37, 38 during the formation of the retaining lugs '45, the configuration of the remainder of the bars 36 will be retained. Furthermore, the distortion of the material of the bars 36 at edges of the grooves 44 will be held to a minimum by the body portions 39 of the scarfing tools 37, 38. In addition, the retaining lugs 45 may be disposed close to the boundary face of the strip 34, if desired. Inasmuch as the strip 34 will be backed up by a suitable support during the formation of the retaining lugs 45, it will be readily apparent that there will be no distortion nor projection formed beyond the boundary face of the strip 34 as the result of the lug forming operation.

Although in many instances it will be desired that the retaining lugs 45 be disposed immediately adjacent the boundary face of the strip 34, it is to be understood that the position of each lug 45 along its respective bar 36 may be controlled by the terminal relationship of the respective punch element 43 with respect to the boundary surface of the bar 36. Also, the extent which each lug 45 projects into the respective pocket 33 may be controlled by the length and depth of the respective groove 44. It will be readily apparent from FIGURE that inasmuch as the grooves 44 are very shallow and since the grooves 44 are formed in the surface of the bars 36 which form the walls of the pockets 33, the formation of the grooves 44 does not materially weaken the bars 36. Thus, the lugs 45 are formed with a minimum weakening of the bars 36. A further advantage of the manner in which the lugs 45 are formed is that the lugs 45 may be quickly and accurately formed utilizing the same punch press as that utilized in the formation of the pockets 33 by merely adding to the punch assembly (not shown) for forming the strip 34 the required extra punch elements.

After the strip 34 has been formed by the necessary punching of scarfing operations, if it has not been previously severed to length, it is severed to the desired length and then rolled into cylindrical form in accordance with the required diameter of the retainer 31. The ends of the length of the strip 34, if desired, may be secured together by welding as at 46 in FIGURE 1.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, it will be seen that there is illustrated in greater detail the construction of the retainer 31. It is to be understood that the retainer 31 is to be utilized when retaining lugs are required for preventing the movement of rollers out of the pockets 33 in one direction only.

In FIGURE 4 there is illustrated a retainer 131 which is very similar to the retainer 31 and includes the usual rims 35 and the bars 36 defining pockets 33. However, the retainer 131 is specially configurated to have retaining lugs for retaining rollers within the pockets 33 in both directions. In addition to the retaining lugs 45, each bar 36 of the retainer 131 is provided with retaining lugs 47 which face in opposite directions from the retaining lugs 45. When the retaining lugs 47 are formed, additional grooves 48 are formed in the faces of the bars 36. It will be readily apparent that the retaining lugs 45 and 47 will cooperate to retain rollers within the pockets 33.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, it will be seen that there is illustrated another form of retainer in accordance with this invention, the retainer being identified by the numeral 231. The retainer 231 differs from the retainer 31 only in that the boundary surface of the bars 36 thereof are provided with transverse lubricant retaining grooves or passages 50. The configuration of the passages 50 may vary as required, but normally they will extend between the adjacent retaining lugs 45.

It is to be understood that the retainers in accordance with this invention may have various sections. In FIG- URE 6, the retainer 131 is illustrated as being of 2. rectangular cross section. On the other hand, the retainer could be of a channel cross section such as that shown in FIGURE 7 with respect to the retainer 331. It is to be noted that the bar of retainer 331 is of a lesser height than the side rims 35 and is recessed on one surface only.

In FIGURE 8, there is illustrated another channel section retainer which is generally identified by the numeral 431. The retainer 431 is similar to the retainer 331, but is inverted relative thereto.

In FIGURE 9, it will be seen that there is illustrated another form of retainer which is generaly referred to by the numeral 531. The retainer 531 is also specifically configurated to provide for the storage of lubricant, and the bars 36 thereof are of a stepped configuration as compared to the constant thickness of the reduced section bars of the retainer 431. It is to be understood that the retainer 531 may be of an inverted configuration, such as the retainer 331, as compared to the retainer 431.

In FIGURE 10, there is illustrated another form of retainer which is generally identified by the numeral 631. The bars of the retainer 631 are also of a stepped configuration, but are stepped from the opposite boundary faces thereof. It is to be noted that the bars of the retainer 631 are of minimum thickness in the central portion thereof and have the outer portions thereof, in which the retaining lugs are formed, of greater thickness. However, the greater thickness of the end portions of the bars 36 is still less than the thickness of the side rims 35. It is to be understood that the generally I-section of the retainer 631 may be a simple one with the bar 36 of a constant thickness, the thickness being less than the thickness of the side rims 35 and being offset from both boundary faces thereof.

In FIGURE 11 there is illustrated another form of retainer which is of a different configuration, the retainer being generally referred to by the numeral 731. In the retainer 731, the side rims 35 thereof are of the same thickness as the bars 36, but the bars 36 have offset central portions 51 whereby the effective thickness of the retainer 731 is the same as that of the other retainers.

In FIGURE 12 there is illustrated a still further form of retainer in accordance with this invention, the retainer being generally referred to by the numeral 831. The retainer 831 is similar to the retainer 731 except that the side rims 35 thereof are of full height. The retainer 831, of course, with the added material of the side rims 35, is of a stiffer section.

It is to be noted that each of the retainers of FIG- URES 6 through 12 is provided with a double set of retaining lugs, the retaining lugs 45, 47 discussed above with respect to FIGURE 4. It is to be understood that this retaining lug arrangement may be varied as is required for the particular retainer.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 17 wherein'there is illustrated a typical retaining lug 45. It is to be noted that the retaining lug 45 has a fiat surface 52 which opposes the roller 32. This is the simplest lug configuration and will be utilized in many instances. However, the lug configuration can be changed for beneficial effects if desired. For example, in FIGURE 18 there is illustrated a lug 53 wherein the roll opposing surface 54 thereof is arcuate. The configuration of the surface 54 with respect to the roller 32 is such to provide for an oil or lubricant wedge between the surface 54 of the lug 53 and the surface of the roller 32.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 19 wherein there is illustrated still another lug configuration, the lug being identified by the numeral 55. The lug 55 has a roll opposing surface 56 which substantially conforms to the surface of the associated roller 32. This provides for a maximum retaining action of the lug 55 where it is desired.

It is to be understood that the lug configuration will be varied in accordance with the requirement of the particular retainer. The various lug configurations may be obtained by varying the shapes of the ends of the scarfing tools 37, 38.

Referring now to FIGURE 13, in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a typical bearing installation including a roller and retainer assembly formed in accordance with this invention, the roller and retainer assembly being generally referred to by the numeral 330.

The bearing assembly includes an inner race-member 60 which may be in the form of a shaft. It also includes an outer race member 61. The roller retainer assembly 330 is positioned between the race members 60 and 61 and rollers 32 thereof are in rolling engagement with each of the race members.

It is to be noted that the retainer 331 of the roller andretainer assembly 330 has a cross section generally like the retainer 331 of FIGURE 7 and is of the outer race riding type. The rollers 32 are retained within pockets 33 of the retainer 331 against radial outward movement by lugs 62 formed in accordance with this invention. The geometry of the pocket 33 is such that the width of the pocket 33 at the inner boundary thereof is less than the diameter of the roller 32 whereby the roller 32 is limited in its radial inward movement.

Referring now to FIGURE 14 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated another typical type of bearing assembly which includes an inner race member 64, which may be a shaft, and an outer race member 65. The outer race member 65 may be in the form of a thin sheet metal shell type race as shown. The race members 64 and 65 are retained in spaced relation by a roller and retainer asembly which is generally referred to by the numeral 430. The roller and retainer assembly 430 includes a retainer 431 formed in accordance with this invention. It is to be noted that the retainer 431 is of .the inner race riding type and rides on the race member 64. The retainer 431 is assembled with the outer race member 65 and the outer race member 65 prevents movement of the rollers 32 radially outwardly of the pocket 33. Movement of the rollers 32 out of the pockets 33 in a radially inwardly directed direction is prevented by suitable lugs 66 which are also formed in accordance with this invention. It is to be noted that the retainer 431 is of a cross section similar to that shown in FIGURE 8.

At this time it is pointed out that the retainer 431 is assembled with the outer race member 65 and while assembled, the two may be hardened by heat treatment. Thereafter, the rollers 32 may be snapped into the pockets 33.

At this time it is pointed out that while in many instances the retainers of this disclosure will be hardened, this will depend upon the specific use of the retainer. It is also pointed out that in instances where the hardness of the retainer is such that movement of the rollers 32 pastthe lugs of the retainer would result in the scraping of flats on the rollers, the metal of the retainer in the area of the lugs through which the rollers are snapped may be suitably locally annealed.

In FIGURE 15 there is illustrated still another form of bearing construction which includes an inner race member 70 and an outer race member 71. A roller and retainer asembly is disposed between the race members 70 and 71. The roller and retainer assembly, which is referred to by the numeral 130, includes a retainer 131 which is formed in accordance with this invention and which has retained within pockets 33 thereof conventional rollers 32. It is to be noted that the retainer 131 is of the roller riding type and is positioned centrally between the race members 70 and 71. The rollers 32 are retained in the pockets 33 against radially outwardly directed movement by means of. lugs 72. Movement of the rollers 32 out of the pockets '33 in a radially inwardly directed direction is prevented by lugs 73. a

At this time it is pointed out that all of the various retainer sections shown in FIGURES 6 through 12 will have utility in the general bearing assemblies of FIG- URES 13, 14 and 15. Also, it is to be understood that the various retaining lugs may have a desired configuration, such as that shown in any one of FIGURES 17, 18 and 19. Further, while the retaining lugs have been illustrated as being immediately adjacent the boundary faces of the retainers, it is to be understood that they may be spaced into the pockets from the boundary faces as desired for the proper retention of the-rollers within the pockets and the positioning of the retainers relative to the rollers and the associated bearing races.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 23 in particular wherein there is illustrated another form of roller and retainer assembly which is generally referred to by the numeral 1030. In the roller and retainer assembly 1030, in lieu of the retainer being of a one-piece construction, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, the retainer is formed of a split construction and includes two or more retainer segments 1031. In each of the retainer segments 1031 there are the usual rollers 32 which are retained in the retainer segments 1031 in the manner described above.

It is also pointed out at this time that the specific retaining lug formation of this disclosure is not restricted for use in conjunction with retainers of radial bearings. The lug formation has like application in retainers of axial thrust bearings. Furthermore, this lug formation has like application in retainers for all forms of rolling elements used in anti-friction bearings.

Referring now to FIGURE 16, it will be seen that there is illustrated another form of pocket construction shown in strip form, the strip being referred to by the numeral 934. The strip 934, like the strip 34, has pockets 933 punched therein With the pockets being defined by side rims 935 and cross bars 936. The cross bars differ from the cross bars 36 in that the central portions thereof are relieved as at on the opposite sides of each bar. This specific relief construction of the bars 936 permits the flow of lubricant between the bars and associated rollers in the resultant roller and retainer assembly.

It is to be noted that the reliefs 75 are shown terminating immediately adjacent the position of lugs 76 formed on the bars. This relationship may be altered as desired. The grooves 77 which result from the formation of the lugs 76 also provide lubricant passages. It is to be understood that the pocket and bar configuration of the strip 934 may be incorporated in any other previously described retainer cross sections.

Although the specific lug configuration of this disclosure and the method of forming the same has been described as applying to retainers formed from a fiat strip, it is to be understood that the same principles may be utilized in retainers which are formed from cylindrical or tubular blanks. In FIGURE 21 there is illustrated a partially formed retainer 1131 which has rectangular cross sectional bars 1136 with trapezoidal shaped pockets 1133. Lugs 80 are simultaneously formed on opposite sides of each bar 1136 by means of a punch-like tool which is generally referred to by the numeral 81 and which may be considered a scarfing tool. The punch-like tool 81 is constructed similar to the tool of FIGURE 20, and includes two punch-like members 82, 83. The punch-like members 82, 83 include bodies 84, which correpond to the bodies 39. However, the bodies 84 are narrower than the bodies 39 and freely pass into the pockets 1133. On the other hand, the spacing of the bodies 84 is the same as the width of the bars 1136 so that the bodies 84 firmly engage the bar 1136 and support the same during the formation of the lugs 80. The opposed faces of the bodies 84 are provided with elongated bars which forms punch or scarfing elements 85. It is to be understood that the retainer 1131 will be suitably supported on a mandrel (not shown) during the lug forming operation.

Referring now to FIGURE 22 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated still another form of retainer, which is generally referred to by the numeral 1231. The retainer 1231, like the retainer 1131, is formed from cylindrical or tubular blank. However, during the initial punching operation, the retainer 1231 is provided with pockets 1233 which are rectangular in section and which are separated by trapezoidal section bars 1236. Because of the specific configuration of the pockets 1233 and the bars 1236, it is not feasible to form lugs, such as the lugs 86, on the opposite sides of a single bar 1236 at one time. Instead, the lugs for a single pocket 1233 are simultaneously formed 'by means of a punch or scarfing tool 87. The scarfing tool 87 has a body 88 of a size to snugly fit within the pockets 1233. On opposite sides of the body 88 there are formed elongated bars which function as punch or scarfing elements 90 to form the lugs 86 on opposite sides of the pocket 1233.

It is to be understood that when the lugs 86 are being formed, the retainer 1231 will be suitably supported on a mandrel (not shown). It is feasible that such a mandrel may have spring loaded back-up elements which will project into the pockets 1233 on opposite sides of the bars 1236 on which the lugs 86 are being formed so as to support the bars during the lug forming operation.

Although only a preferred method of forming the lugs in accordance with this invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that minor variations may be made in the disclosed retainer constructions and the method of forming the same without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed as new:

1. A retainer for rolling contact bearings, said retainer comprising a pair of side rims and bars extending at spaced intervals between said side rims and combining with said rims to define a plurality of pockets, each of said bars having first face surfaces forming walls of said pockets and second face surfaces extending between said first face surfaces, and each of said first face surfaces having projecting therefrom into a respective one of said pockets a lug formed soley from displaced material of the respective first face surface.

2. The retainer of claim 1 wherein each first face surface has a groove formed therein in alignment with said lug and terminating at said lug, the material from said groove having been incorporated in said lug.

3. The retainer of claim 1 wherein each first face surface has a groove formed therein in alignment with said lug beginning at a respective second face surface and terminating at said lug, the material from said groove having been incorporated in said lug.

4. The retainer of claim 1 wherein each lug is disposed adjacent one of a respective second face surface, and each first face surface has a groove formed therein in alignment with said lug beginning at the other of a respective second face surface and terminating at said lug, the material from said groove having been incorporated in said lug.

5. The retainer of claim 1 wherein each bar first face surface has a pair of said lugs formed therein, and a lubricant retainer groove is formed in at least one of said second face surfaces and opening into adjacent ones of said pockets intermediate said pair of lugs.

6. The retainer of claim 1 wherein each bar first face surface has a pair of said lugs formed thereon, and at least one additional lug formed thereof adjacent said other respective second face surface intermediate said pair of lugs.

7. The retainer of claim 2 wherein each bar first face surface has a pair of said lugs formed thereon, and at least one additional lug formed thereon adjacent said other respective second face surface intermediate said pair of lugs, and a groove in said first face surface in alignment with each additional lug beginning at said one respective second face surface and terminating at said additional lug, the material of said last-mentioned groove having been incorporated in said additional lug.

8. The retainer of claim 1 wherein said bars each has at least one of said second surfaces recessed relative to said rims.

9. The retainer of claim 1 wherein said bars each has at least one of said second surfaces recessed relative to said rims, and said retainer is of a channel shaped section.

10. The retainer of claim 1 wherein said bars each has at least one of said second surfaces recessed relative to said rims, and said retainer is of an I-shaped section.

.11. The retainer of claim 1 wherein said bars have radially offset intermediate portions and said bars have a plurality of said lugs formed thereon, and certain of said lugs are formed on outer portions of said bars and others of said lugs are formed on said intermediate portions.

12. The retainer of claim 1 wherein each lug has a sloping roller engageable surface.

13. The retainer of claim 1 wherein each said lug has the appearance of being formed by a chipless machining operation.

14. The retainer of claim 1 wherein said bars have radially offset intermediate portions and have a plurality of said lugs formed thereon, and certain of said lugs are formed on outer portions of said bars and others of said lugs are formed on said intermediate portions, and the over-all height of said side rims is generally that of the total height of said bars.

15. The retainer of claim 1 wherein each lug is disposed adjacent one of a respective second face surface, and each first face surface has a groove formed therein in alignment with said lug beginning at the other of a respective second face surface, the material from said groove having been incorporated in said lug.

16. The retainer of claim 1 wherein said retainer is formed of sheet metal.

17. A retainer for rolling contact bearings, said retainer comprisin a pair of side rims and bars extending at spaced intervals between said side rims and combining with said rims to define a plurality of pockets, each of said bars having first face surfaces forming walls of said pockets and second face surfaces extending between said first face surfaces, and each of said first face surfaces having combined groove and projecting lug means formed therein and projecting therefrom, said combined groove and projecting lug means being formed of a single volume of material with the material moved in forming said groove means forming said lug means.

18. A method of forming a projecting lug on a bar of a retainer for rolling bearing elements comprising the steps of progressively forming a groove in said bar and displacing the material of said bar axially of said groove with the displaced material increasingly projecting from said bar as said groove is formed to form said lug.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,657,106 10/1953 Lovell et a1. 308217 '-2,772,128 11/1956 Schaeffier et al. 308-217 2,946,633 7/1960 Gothberg 308-217 3,110,529 11/1963 Schaeffier 308217 3,199,935 8/1965 Pitner 308-217 3,202,467 8/ 1965 Eckstein 308217 FOREIGN PATENTS 849,500 9/ 1952 Germany. 1,168,435 9/1958 France.

CARROLL B. DORITY, JR., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R 29-1484; 72-377, 476 

